Dad 'at peace' after challenge for son who died of MenB

A dad whose son died from meningitis B (MenB) says he finally feels "at peace" after helping to cement his legacy.

Anthony Mills, from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, was forced to say goodbye to his 18-year-old son Aaron in January after his condition suddenly deteriorated.

On Sunday, family friend Shaun McEntee completed a run of more than 100 miles from Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough Stadium to Liverpool FC's Anfield Stadium to raise awareness of the illness.

Mills, who spoke to students about MenB at universities along McEntee's route, said: "The whole experience was just amazing. I feel a bit guilty because I enjoyed every single minute of it."

Mills described McEntee, who completed the challenge over five days, as a "machine".

"I owe Shaun a lot, he's done all this in Aaron's memory and it's been phenomenal," he said, adding: "Aaron was an incredible person and to just let him go like that... it just felt so wrong.

"I've really tried to get his legacy over the last nine months to what it should be because his potential was unlimited."

He added: "I'm kind of at peace. A lot of people know Aaron's name, they know Aaron's story, and it's really helped me a lot.

"I feel like I can move forward a bit...I've healed a lot of wounds from it and it was incredible, the whole thing."

Although babies have routinely been vaccinated against MenB for more than a decade, Aaron's age group missed out.

Mills said that while family and friends had helped raise awareness of the importance of getting vaccinated, there was "still work to be done".

During McEntee's run, he and Mills visited the University of Wolverhampton, Harper Adams University in Shropshire, Reaseheath College & University Centre in Nantwich and the University of Chester to speak to students about MenB.

Mills told BBC Hereford & Worcester that most of the students they spoke to had no idea about the bacterial infection.

But McEntee said he felt their efforts may have already helped save lives.

Speaking outside Anfield after completing the run, McEntee said: "I'm exhausted, so tired, but it's been so worth it. I feel like we've actually got the message across.

"There were a couple of moments that in my head could have saved a couple of lives.

"Those people said they'd get the vaccine as a result of what we've done, which, is obviously massively worth it."

Asked what had kept him going, McEntee said: "I had a little cannister of [Aaron's] ashes that I've been carrying with me for the full five days and that's what has pushed me through.

"Thursday and Friday were really tough. It was probably the lowest [I had been]. The weather was against us and I was already exhausted and I knew I had lots to go.

"But his name was on my back and his spirit pushed me through."

McEntee also set himself a £5,000 target to raise funds for Meningitis Now.

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